You perform a mark-recapture study to understand the population size of slender salamanders (Batrachoseps attenuatuss) in Arcata, California. You initially catch and mark 15 individuals. In your second sample, you catch 20 individuals, and zero of them are marked. You estimate the total population size as:

In real life, it is very challenging to count every individual in a population to determine the population size. One of the methods scientists use to estimate the number of individuals in a population is the mark-recapture technique.

This technique involves capturing, marking, and releasing a group of individuals from the population, and later performing another mark-recapture. Then the information obtained about the number of individuals that were already marked the second time is used to estimate the population.

How to use this technique?

The population can be estimated through this technique by using the formula:

N = (M*C) / R

Individuals in the population = (number captured and marked the first time number captured the second time)/ individuals recaptured

This formula can be applied in most cases, except if there are no recaptured individuals the second time because this will make uncertain the number of individuals.

Let's apply this formula to the salamander's population

N= 15 x 20 / 0
N = 0

Considering the recaptured individuals were 0, the population cannot be determined based on this information. Instead, it is recommended to mark more individuals and repeat the process until there are re-captured individuals.

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